that the judgement of God is according to truth, and he has declared in the word of truth, that whatsoever is not of faith is sin. So that it is impossible it should please a most holy God; who has magnified his word above all his name, and who delights to see his people do the same; magnifying it, by giving it the fullest credit of their hearts, and the most perfect dependence of their lives.

He has also required this by his express command: This is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, who has said, "Ye believe in God, believe also in me," with the same faith, and with the same worship: and when the jailor inquired of Paul and Silas, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? they answered-Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. And this belief is commanded in very trying circumstances, when the outward supports of faith seem to fail, and the inward comforts are at a very low ebb: "Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that

walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God,"-his God still. That relation is always the same; and so are the blessings which are included in it, and which he cannot fail to bestow upon them who honour his word in such trials of their faith, that against hope they believe in hope: for blessed are all they who put their trust in him.

For the farther confirmation of their faith, he has strengthened his commands, with the most encouraging promises of grace to help in every time of need. time of need. Ask and Ask and ye shall

have for he giveth to all askers liberally, and upbraideth not, come they ever so often, or ask ever so much: yea, our heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him; and his influence goes as far as any promise, for he is the mighty power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. Whatever is promised, he is almighty to fulfil. So we read when our Lord cursed the barren fig tree, the apostles marvelled, that it presently withered away. Jesus an

swered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, if ye have faith and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done; and all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive; for believing honours the truth of the promiser, and asking in prayer for the fulfilling of it, engages and secures the promised grace. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much; so much, that the prayer of faith has opened and shut heaven. It has done wonders in removing mountains of difficulties, and conquering hosts of foes, which rendered it seemingly impossible that the word of God should be established. But faith gained the victory, and triumphed gloriously.

It has pleased God also to confirm all these arguments, by revealing the motive on which he made the promises. It was love. They are all free grace promises. In his counsels, in the revealing them, in the fulfilling them, love directs the whole. They

are discoveries of what is in the Father's heart to his children, and are the means of conveying his fatherly blessings, especially such a persuasion of his love to them, as will work love to him, and they work by love. For we love him, because he first loved us therefore he speaks to them comfortably, addressing himself to them in the tenderest compassion, and calling them by the dearest names-his chosen-his belovedhis adopted-his children-his friendsheirs, heirs of God-joint heirs with Christ, who is Lord of all-his peculiar treasurehis portion. These, and many other endearing names, are intended to convince them of his love, and to win, and engage their hearts in love to him; that when it is given them to believe the truth of his promises, they might be certain of their fulfilment. God is love: he delighteth in his people. His heart is so set upon them, that in his dealings with them, love has the appointing, the directing, and the blessing of all. His love to them had no beginning, and it will have no end. It bestows on the happy objects of it, grace,

and it secures to them glory. Love has crowned their Head. And love will crown

all his members. For out of his fulness they are most freely invited to come and take all spiritual blessings, as the earnest of eternal. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon them! who can believe it, and not love him again?

It has pleased God also to give us some examples of his singular favour, to them who acted strong faith, and to whom he therefore administered strong consolation. The apostle says, "That whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." And then he prays, "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, by the power of the Holy Ghost." And when the Holy Ghost gives it this blessed effect, he always fills the heart with gratitude and thankfulness. Thus it operated in the day when the believer was enabled to say, "O Lord, I will praise thee; though thou wast angry with me, thine an